Abstract
The possibility of processing sunflower husk into a carbon-containing material carbonizate was investigated. This material is considered promising for use as a functional technological additive in the production of rubber technical products. The carbonizate was obtained by thermal conversion of sunflower husk in an inert atmosphere, followed by evaluation of its composition and physicochemical characteristics. TGA showed that the main thermal decomposition processes of biomass components occur in the temperature range of 200–550 °C, which determines the choice of the carbonization temperature regime. GC analysis of the pyrolysis products revealed the formation of gas, liquid, and solid fractions. The gaseous products contained energy-rich components, including H2, CO, CH4, and light hydrocarbons; their higher heating value was 14.27 MJ/Nm3. The liquid fraction consisted mainly of oxygen-containing and aromatic compounds, with a heating value of 13.71 MJ/kg. The obtained carbonizate was characterized by a carbon content of 48.12 wt.%, low ash content of 3.5 wt.%, an alkaline surface character (pH = 9), a specific surface area of 27.3 m²/g, and a moderate degree of micropore development. The average particle size after grinding was 18.89 μm, which meets the requirements for dispersed fillers. In addition, a pilot-scale biomass carbonization technology with a processing capacity of at least 150 kg/h was developed, confirming the feasibility of scaling up the process.